The live auction is Monday 20 May at 6.30pm. View the full catalogue here: auctions.webbs.co.nz/m/view-a...
Thank you 3 News AM show for coming to our Mount Eden Gallery to see this beautiful, rare huia feather.
The huia was a small endemic New Zealand songbird of the wattlebird family and was known for its jumping abilities and beautiful plumage. In pre-contact times, high ranking individuals would wear huia’s tail feathers in their hair but eventually, the blue-green metallic sheen of these items became more widely popularised among Maōri and Pākehā.
This rare huia feather is a beautiful example of Aotearoa’s natural history and reminds us of the fragility of our ecosystem. It is in excellent condition and serves as a reminder of Māori’s enduring kaitiakitanga and deep respect for the natural world that surrounds us.” - Leah Morris, Head of Decorative Arts